New report finds ‘social inequalities’ leading to disproportionate number of children in care in north of England

Latest analysis shows that one in 52 children in Blackpool are in care, compared with 140 across England. Researchers said the analysis exposed “deep-seated social inequalities”.

The report also found that just over a quarter (28%) of the child population in the north of England is represented in the north of England, but more than a third (36%) of children in care are from the North, according to the analysis by the All-Party Parliament for Children. Group (APPG) said.

Professor David Taylor, co-author of the report, said the findings reflected a “doomsday cycle” where poverty pushes children into the care system at an additional cost to local and national governments.

He said: “Investment in preventive services, Sure Start, family support, youth services and more are all being cut, particularly in areas of greatest need.

“In these places, poverty rates are rising, leading to an increase in the number of children coming into the care system, putting huge pressure on the health and care system.”

The report was researched and funded by Northern Health Equity, an organization dedicated to finding solutions to public health issues and health inequalities in the north of England. It uses existing data, including official statistics and academic research.

The analysis also shows that higher rates of children in care are estimated to have cost the North at least £25 billion over the past four years.

Based on the report’s findings, APPG members and report authors made a range of recommendations, including policies to reduce child poverty, such as removing the second-child limit and benefit caps, and greater investment in prevention strategies, such as targeting increased investment in the north.

“A part of you was ripped away”

Mum Kirsty, from Newcastle, is one of those who has benefited from this grassroots support.

She became a mother at the age of 17. Her daughter was placed in care twice, which she described as “tragic” moments.

“I’ve been through a lot in my life, but losing a child is the most painful and unexplainable feeling I can imagine,” she said.

“It’s like a part of you is taken away and then you can’t understand it and you don’t feel good enough.”

Kirsty had previously struggled with drug addiction and was a victim of domestic abuse.

She had also been homeless before, eventually joining Drugs Anonymous and later receiving support from Reform UK, an organization in the area that aims to improve outcomes for mothers at risk of having their children taken away from them.

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Their work includes building “sisterhoods” in the form of safe spaces designed to allow women to share their experiences and connect them with the right support for issues such as addiction, domestic abuse and homelessness.

Reform chief executive Amy Van Zyl believes the social care system needs to be better equipped and more funded to help people with complex needs.

“Women come to our services without friends and relatives. When they come to our services, they have friends and relatives, and then we can point them in the direction of services,” she said.

Kirsty told a parliamentary event on Wednesday about her experience, which she believes could have benefited from early intervention.

She said: “If there had been anything like reform back then or anywhere else, it would have made a huge difference.

“Because I felt like I was the only one and I felt like I was failing not only myself but my family and I was bringing shame to everyone because I couldn’t take care of my kids and that’s not the case.

“All the reports social services have done say I’m a good mum and I’m really good to my daughter. That’s the way I live my life. I don’t have accommodation, I take drugs and all of that could have been helped, yes healing.”

Responding to the report, a Department for Education spokesman said: “Early intervention is at the heart of our ambitious reforms to children’s social care, which includes a £45 million investment in pilot areas across England to help us shape a future system for delivering services to families. .The right support, by the right people, at the right time.

“For those leaving care, we will invest £250 million over three years to help them succeed – providing housing, education, employment and training opportunities.”